Motoring News

Today, 07 February 2017

Autocar confidential: Ferrari, Kia, Honda, GKN
Our reporters empty their notebooks to round up this week's gossip from across the automotive industry
This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news of GKN Driveline's vision of the future, the 'everyday' Ferrari, Kia's anti-aging formula and Honda's quick turn-around.
GKN Driveline's vision of the future
GKN Driveline's director of advanced engineering believes now is the most exciting time to be an automotive engineer. “I’ve worked in this industry for 27 years,” said Theo Gassman.
“In the 1990s, drive systems were all mechanical, but since then, they’ve become a lot more complex.” He believes connectivity and big data will be the next things to go under the spotlight.
“How will we make best use of all the data in a car?” he said. “That’s the question.”
Read more: GKN’s integrated electric drive system could transform the EV market, GKN: Future electric driveline tech will create super-agile EVs
The 'everyday' Ferrari
The creation of the GTC4 Lusso T was driven by demand for an ‘everyday’

2019 Chevrolet Corvette C8 - mid-engined supercar spotted testing
Next-gen American sports car looks set to move its engine rearwards and gain turbo power; this prototype shows its extended rear
The Chevrolet Corvette C8 has been spotted for the first time this year, with these latest shots revealing the unmistakable silhouette of a mid-engined supercar.
Seen here winter testing alongside a Corvette ZR1 - a track-focused version of the current C7 - the car's shorter nose and longer rear section, complete with a pair of buttresses, are clear to see.
Sources think the car will use a turbocharged V6 engine in order to boost efficiency and enable it to fall under increasingly stringent CO2 emission limits. A flat-plane crank V8 engine could be offered as a range-topping model in certain markets.
The C8 is also expected to use more aluminium in its construction to save weight.
The Corvette C8 is still at an early stage in its development process. The finished car isn’t expected to arrive before 2018, with most sources predicting a debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show before the first cars arrive on the road in 2019.